This paper concerns the results of 200 patients with tinnitus as a primary symptom. Sixty-nine patients formed a pilot study and are not discussed here. Full data are available on 131. The object was to examine each patient in as great detail as possible to see if any significant correlation could be found between different factors involved in their tinnitus. A previous study by Reed (1960) failed to show significant correlation between the variables analysed.

All data were recorded on specially prepared questionnaires. The first involved details of occupation, noise exposure, previous illness, family history of deafness or tinnitus, exposure to ototoxic drugs, details of previous ear disease, hearing aid experience, hearing problems and the incidence of problems at home and at work. The second questionnaire asked specific questions about the tinnitus, particularly its subjective loud- ness rating, variability and factors affecting it. The third questionnaire was used for recording details of otological and audiometric assessment, including the subjective synthesis.